The Google Assistant settings are easy to find whether you use it on your Android device, iPhone, or iPad, and there are many options for customizing your experience. You can also customize the behavior of Google Assistant for each account if you have more than one Google account.
Google Assistant is by far the most intuitive digital voice assistant on the market, and you would be right to assume it is the most popular one.
You can use this guide to set up Google Assistant on Android or iOS devices. Let’s take a look at how to do it.
Google Assistant Requirements
It is important to check whether your phone or tablet is capable of running Google Assistant before you begin using it. See if your Android or iOS device supports Google Assistant by reviewing the below device requirements.
For Android:
- At least Android 5.0.
- 1GB of RAM or more.
- A Google app running version 13 or higher.
- Minimum 720p resolution.
- Available on Google Play.
For iOS:
- Apple iOS 11 or later.
- The Google Assistant app is available.
If your entry-level phone does not have 1GB of memory, you should download the Google Assistant app.
Download Google Assistant Go instead. It’s just a lite version of the regular Google Assistant; it comes with fewer features and does not support hands-free control, but it’s just as useful for simple tasks.
How to download Google Assistant for Android and iOS
The Google Assistant app is pre-installed on all modern Android devices, so you do not need to download it if you own an Android device. It is available in the Google Play Store if your device does not already have it. Since Apple prefers users to use Siri instead of Google Assistant, it does not come pre-installed on iPhones and iPads.
The Google Assistant app for iOS can still be downloaded from the Apple App Store. The feature does not work as well on iOS devices as it does on Android devices.
Here’s how to turn on Google Assistant on Android
Most Android devices come with Google Assistant-enabled by default. Press and hold the Home button long enough to see if it is active on your device. Upon activation, the assistant will start listening to you; otherwise, you will be asked to turn it on through a small prompt at the bottom of your screen.
If the prompt does not appear, you can turn it on in the Google Assistant settings by following these steps:
- Open the Google app.
- Click on your profile picture and select Settings.
- Click on Assistant > General.
- Turn on Google Assistant.
Your Google Assistant will begin answering your questions, following your commands, and providing relevant search results as soon as you activate it. Simply press and hold the Home button for a few seconds to activate it.
To use gesture navigation, simply swipe diagonally from either side of the bottom corners of your screen to the center.
How to get Google Assistant to recognize your voice
Besides long-pressing the home button or using gestures, you can also call up Google Assistant by saying the trigger words “Hey Google” or “Ok Google;” this will activate the Assistant.
By using Voice Match, Google Assistant also provides you with personalized results rather than generic ones. Before you can begin using this feature, however, you will need to train the assistant to recognize your voice.
To do so, follow the steps below:
- Launch Google Assistant by long-pressing the Home button.
- Ask the Assistant to open the settings.
- Press Hey Google & Voice Match.
- Turn on Hey Google.
- Follow the onscreen instructions, then tap Finish.
If your Google Assistant does not recognize your voice, you can retrain it later by going to Hey Google & Voice Match > Voice model > Retrain voice model. You can also ask Google Assistant to recognize your voice by saying “Open voice match settings” or “Recognize my voice”.
How to enable Google Assistant on your iPhone and iPad
There is no setup required for Google Assistant on iPhones hard reset or iPad. Because Voice Match is not available on iOS and iPadOS, Assistant cannot be seamlessly woken on your device. Instead, you should open the Google Assistant app every time you want to use it.
What to Do When Google Assistant Is Not Working on Android or iOS
Activating Google Assistant on Android and iOS is different, but the process of talking to it is the same.
On Android:
- Hold the Home button.
- Slide diagonally from either corner of the button to the center of your screen.
- Click “OK Google” or “Hey Google”.
- Tap the microphone icon (or the keyboard icon for text) in the Google Assistant app.
- On your home screen, tap the microphone icon.
- You’ll need to squeeze the bottom half of your Pixel 2, 3, 3a, and 4.
- Press and hold the power button on the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro.
If you’re running Android version 8.0 or higher, you can access Google Assistant on your lock screen without having to pick up and unlock your device > a useful feature for when you’re driving or cooking.
However, if you gave it a command to, say, open YouTube, that will require you to unlock your device first.
On iOS:
- Say “Hey Google” or “Ok Google” to the Google Assistant app.
- In the Google Assistant app, tap the microphone icon (or the keyboard icon for text).
- In the Google Search widget, tap the mic icon.
You can use Google Assistant in a variety of ways after you have set it up, including asking questions, changing your device’s settings, opening apps, and calling friends.
Get More Done Faster With Google Assistant
Google Assistant is the best voice assistant you can use regardless of the smart device you are using. In addition to being more intuitive, it is better at understanding context, which means it can maintain a more continuous conversation and respond to your questions and commands more naturally.
Conclusion
Error messages and problems are not welcomed by anyone. Google Assistant and Google Home products are not immune to problems, however. Fortunately, this resource should provide easy fixes and solutions. The methods listed here should be able to fix most Google Assistant issues.
FAQs
What is the procedure for manually opening Google Assistant?
The Assistant itself can be asked to open the settings for you. Launch Google Assistant and then say or type the following command: ‘Google Assistant Settings’. Google Assistant will instruct you to tap the Settings option. The settings can be viewed by tapping the option.
Do I need to say hey Google?
Rather than saying “Hey Google” before every question or command, you can speak directly to your speaker or Smart Display.
When I am not using the screen, how can I use “hey Google”?
Go to the Google Assistant settings and toggle the ‘Hey Google and Voice Match’ option on or off. Enable the toggle to allow Assistant to hear your voice whenever you say “Hey Google” – regardless of whether your screen is on or not. As a result, the Assistant will be available at all times.
How do I change Hey Google?
Hey, Google or OK Google are the only options. In the future, this may change. The Google Assistant can be contacted by saying “Ok Google.” On some devices, you can also say “Hey Google.” Any settings for “Ok Google” apply to “Hey Google.”
How does cheat mode work on Google?
Another instance of Konami Code at work. Search using your voice for “Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right” in Google’s search bar, and you will have unlimited free Google searches. I am being facetious. It is just one of the many hidden gems discovered within the Google tools.
